must-have guns

[nightrunner]

if you had an unlimited budget, what would you say are must-haves in a modest gun collection?

to start it off

S&W K-22

Ruger 10-22

Remington 870/Mossberg 500/590

double action .357mag

double action .44mag

1911

Glock (includes comparable pistols of same type)

high quality bolt action rifle (remington 700, etc.)

ar-15

m1 garand

EDITED to add:

AK-47

what do you say you need to complete your arsenal?

this excludes NFA/ClassIII weapons to keep it simple

*mods if this is in the wrong section move it, i didnt know where else to put it.

Edited April 13, 2009 by nightrunner

[Guest Astra900]

I can't believe you don't have an AK on that list.

[Guest bkelm18]

Well if money were no object, I would own one of everything.

[Guest pjblurton]

Well if money were no object, I would own one of everything.

+1

[nightrunner]

fine then, make it what do you consider essentials?

[Guest pjblurton]

AR-15

1911

S&W 686

Rem 870

high powered rifle - bolt action

Bare minimum essentials

[Moped]

.357 mag Revolver either Colt or S&W

1911 in .45 acp

Ruger 10/22

S&W Model 22/32 Kit Gun in .22

Winchester Mdl 94 30/30 lever action.

M1 Garand or Springfield 03A1 or A3

Remington 870 12ga.

[clarky07]

I'm into historic guns, so...

Mosin

Mauser

Enfield

Garand

M1 carbine

1903

K31

p38

also on my list

1911

AR-15

AK-47

a revolver of some sort

if we really want to spare no expense, a nice .50

[Guest 70below]

CZ-452 american with a scope (.22lr)

Semi-auto .22lr pistol (ruger, browning, walther, sig?)

AK-74

Yugo, Russian, or Romanian SKS

Savage or Rem 700 long range bolt gun ('06, 308, 300win mag)

AR15 in 9mm, 5.56, and 6.5 grendal

M1903 or 1917

M1 Garand

M1 Carbine

M14/M1a

Glock 17

Glock 22

1911

Makarov

DA .357/.38 4"

I'd say thats my basic list, some substitutions may apply where applicable.

[Guest tlondon]

ww2 era colt 1911

smith & wesson 500

ww2 era luger (w/nazi markings)

and just about 1 of everything else

[Kegger]

HK USP Compact .45

HK 45c canned

S&W M&P .45 Compact

Sig 220 with AAC can

Nighthawk Customs T3

Kimber Pro Carry CDP II

M4 with ARMS foregrip, BUIS, EO-Tec w/ magnifier, AN/PVS-14 NODs, PAQ-5, Canned

M14 with M68 CCO, canned

Norenko AK-47, tacticooled, canned

M82A1

98B

[Smith]

IN addition to the what I have:

Browning Hi-Power .40 with 9mm conversion

Glock 19

Mossy 500

6.8 AR

I would add:

MSAR 6.8 and 5.56

UZI SMG

True Russian AK (fully)

Walther P99 QA (9mm)

FN FNP-9 SAO

[jughead]

interesting choices.

[poak]

For a minimalist, non-descriptive list:

1 AR

1 AK

1 12 Gauge Shotgun w/ 18.x" barrel

2 Handguns, one 9mm, one .45

1 Bolt Action Precision Rifle, preferably in either 30-06 or .308

[hkusp40cal]

My non-descriptive list would be:

one .22 rifle

one .223 semi (AR)

one .308 (m1a) or 30-06 (m1)

one 7.62x39 (sks or ak)

one wheel gun in a magnum caliber

one pistol in .45 acp

one pump shottie

[9teeneleven]

For me:

1911

.40 S&W

Ar-15 of some variety with ACOG

Double Barrel 12 Ga. shotgun

Pump shotgun

Decked out Remington 700

Some variety of 7.62x54r gun

[Ghooge2008]

another non descript BARE minimum:

12 gauge supplied with slugs, and buckshot

.22 semi auto

.357 revolver and matching lever rifle

bare minimum, not quite the money isnt an issue as originally posted

[JeffsSig]

wow no .380s listed.

To me a small 380 is a must have along with the others listed.

[Guest Revelator]

This is sort of in the range of what we're talking about. Lively discussion piece here:

http://www.shtfblog.com/index.php/2007/12/16/shtf-blogs-top-ten-best-guns-for-survival/

SHTF blog’s Top Ten BEST Guns for Survival

December 16th, 2007 · 42 Comments

Presenting!

Ranger Man’s Top Ten BEST Guns for TEOTWAWKI

NUMBER TEN - The Mighty Barrett .50 BMG

LOL! Okay, okay, I kicked this list off with the Barrett just because. I don’t own one and I wouldn’t buy one, but I’ll tell you what, if SHTF, and you have one, you’re on my side.

The sticker price ($3,000-$12,000) on one of these monsters is enough to take anyone’s breath away, but witnessing the colossal *POW* that this bad bitch delivers waaaay down range will also take your breath away. Nothing on the civilian market can deliver anything close to the *smack* of the Barrett. Consequently, there’s a growing movement in different states (mainly New York, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Illinois) to remove the .50 BMG rifle from the civilian market altogether. California banned it in 2004. So, if you have more money than you know what to do with, this could be a great investment. Buy a few and then sell them after they’re banned nationwide for 4 times what you paid for them.

The cartridge selection for these rifles is disturbing to say the least. They come in incendiary, armor-piercing, armor-piercing/incendiary, tracer, and armor-piercing/incendiary/tracer all-in-one. A .50 BMG sniper rifle was used by a Canadian solder in Afghanistan in 2002 to pull off the longest-range, confirmed sniper kill in history when he delivered the insane ball of lead to a Taliban insurgent 1.5 miles away.

YIKES!

Advantages: it’ll make anyone go “. . . . . . wow;†it’ll penetrate light armor with NO problem; people will open the door for you when they see you carrying it; you can disable equipment and engine blocks from over a mile away; Made in the U.S.A.

Disadvantages: price, size, weight and recoil (ouch!); very limited availability of the high-end, military grade ammunition you’d need to fully realize this rifle’s capacity

NUMBER NINE - SKS Rifle

For what you’d spend on one Barrett .50 BMG you could buy a truckload of these things. I’m not a big fan of them. A friend of mine has (maybe had) a Russian SKS and the thing would sometimes fire two rounds with one trigger pull. This may sound cool, but neither of us thought it was. They’re cheap for a reason.

Advantage: they’re cheap

Disadvantage: they’re cheap

NUMBER EIGHT - Bolt-Action .308

Here it is. You need a sniper set up - period, and there’s a reason the .308 is the most widely used sniper round, it delivers - consistently. It may not have the more flat trajectory of a .270 or the extra wallup in a 30-06, but it delivers, has moderate recoil, and offers a more common caliber with a wider selection of ammunition.

Of course, the flip side of having a sniper set up is that it’s only worthwhile if you actually spend A LOT of time (and money) learning how to use it effectively at long distances. Chances are, for anyone not in Navy Seal sniper school, they’re not going to. However, the rifle can still get plenty of use hunting large game. The 180 grain .308 cartridge is my top recommendation for large game. It hits hard.

Advantages: common caliber, highly accurate

Disadvantage: no rapid fire feature

NUMBER SEVEN - Springfield M1A

What’s better than a bolt-action .308 WTSHTF? A semi-automatic .308. If you’re 3 weeks into TEOTWAWKI, holed up in your house with stacks of books around your picture window to serve as makeshift “sandbags,†you’ll want the M1A standing nearby. Gotta send a message to The Golden Horde hanging out by your mailbox? The M1A will do it.

Advantages: common caliber, stock one round for your bolt-action AND your semi-auto; Made in the U.S.A.

Disadvantages: $1,300 and up typically for a new one; heavy if carrying long distances

NUMBER SIX - 1911 .45 ACP Handgun

Ah yes, a handgun enters the scene. You have to have a handgun, and the 1911 .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) is a beauty. Let’s say it appears TEOTWAWKI is on the verge of happening and people are panicking. They’re out in force to empty the local grocery store’s shelves, and you’re heading into town as well to get whatever you can. This is the stage at which you’re not going to head out with rifles wrapped around your torso unless you’re begging for trouble - HOWEVER - you’re not going unarmed either. **** could break out in the cooler isle as 28 different dads battle over the last gallon of milk and suddenly one them pulls a piece. You need to be ready without letting people know you’re ready. Additionally, you need a piece for your SHTF “go bag†and the .45 contains a whole lotta lead.

Advantages: conceal and carry; whole lotta lead; common caliber

Disadvantages: limited magazine capacity (typically 8 + 1 in the pipe); $800 and up for a good one

NUMBER FIVE - Remington 870 12 Gauge Pump-Action Shotgun

*shhhick-shickt*

Let’s hear that again.

*shhhick-shickt*

The sound is undeniable. You hear that and you instantly know what it means, “You wanna roll with me?†The only reasonable response is, “errrr . . . . nah, I’ll move along.â€

You can get a shotgun that’ll take a bigger shell, but you don’t need it. The 12 gauge is exceptionally common and it’ll take a variety of shells: birdshot for game hunting survival purposes; double-ought buck for pushing intruders not only down, but back out the window they came in through; and slugs for anything else.

Want to mount that shotgun to your bed frame (lol)? Check out one of my previous posts on “The Backup†here.

Advantages: common caliber; many accessories available for this model (pistol grips, tube extensions, etc.); obscene knock-down power

Disadvantages: none come to mind

NUMBER FOUR - AK-47

When I took the “What Combat Weaponry are You?†test over on my MySpace page it churned out the AK-47. It’s not my number one choice, but it’s an excellent choice nevertheless. It’s durable, designed to be thrown into a mud hole for a month when it can be dug out and immediately used without cleaning. That might be an exaggeration, but not by much. It also delivers a beefy round for a standard issue assault rifle. If you’re outside the United States, there’s likely readily available parts and ammunition.

Advantages: banana clips, baby; jungled clipped banana clips, baby

Disadvantages: lacks the accuracy found in other assault rifles; made in China, or Russia, or Yugoslavia - you get the idea

NUMBER THREE - Compact 9mm Handgun

What’s a more common caliber than the .45 ACP? The 9mm. Unfortunately, it’s the most common handgun caliber in the United States used against police officers. Thugs love it. Love the 9mm, but don’t be a thug.

Advantages: cheaper to shoot than the .45 (and thus practice with); high capacity magazines; easier to conceal and carry

Disadvantage: less lead

NUMBER TWO - Ruger 10/22 Rifle

I can hear it now, “What!?†That’s right, the .22 rifle. It’s ALL about survivalism. Look, when TEOTWAWKI hits you’re going to want a rifle like the Ruger 10/22 for put some sort of meat on your dinner plate. Squirrels, gophers or the neighbors’ cats, the 10/22 is quiet, effective, and you can shoot all damn day for what it’d cost you to buy a 6-pack of PBR.

Additionally, a little recognized fact, Chechen rebels successfully used .22 rifles for sniping purposes against Russian troops in urban settings. The urban setting consisted of narrow streets and close buildings allowing these “snipers†to get exceptionally close to their targets. They strapped soda bottle silencers on them to further the effectiveness. I don’t care what you say about the .22lr, take one in the neck and you’ll think differently.

Advantages: already stated - go buy one

Disadvantages: none whatsoever

AND now . . . . . . .

Ranger Man’s NUMBER ONE BEST Rifle for TEOTWAWKI

*drum roll*

The Mighty AR-15!

*applause*

*cheering*

This should really come as no surprise. My only guess as to why so many survival writers don’t list the “Black Rifle†as their top choice is because they want to set themselves apart from the pack. Like in politics, when you’re the man on top, you can expect attacks. There are very solid reasons for the AR-15’s extreme popularity and cult-like following. There are very solid reasons why its the #1 choice of the U.S. military and para-military groups (â€AR-15″ to include all variations). It’s the best - period.

Explaining in great detail why I believe the AR-15 is the single best choice for survivalists goes beyond the scope of this post. I will detail it in the future, however. In the meantime, basically:

Advantages: very common caliber; fast bullet with flat trajectory; highly adaptable platform that allows the user to meet mission specific needs; extensive options readily available; they’re everywhere (meaning so are parts); wide variety of available rounds from 55 grain to 75 grain, tracer rounds, steel penetrator tips, etc.; very, very light recoil; Made in the U.S.A., and in the case of Bushmaster, Made in Maine

Disadvantages: smaller caliber than what’s found in other battle rifles; many moving parts; rather annoying to clean compared to other rifles; the gas system often comes under criticism for throwing the “gunk†back into the chamber (some call this “****ting where it eatsâ€), though this problem has been remedied in some newer models (at a higher cost)

- Ranger Man

[Guest smithandwesson]

Accuracy International AW in .338 lapua mag. with either a shmidt and bender or us optics built to my likings

[Guest smithandwesson]

This is sort of in the range of what we're talking about. Lively discussion piece here:

http://www.shtfblog.com/index.php/2007/12/16/shtf-blogs-top-ten-best-guns-for-survival/

SHTF blog’s Top Ten BEST Guns for Survival

December 16th, 2007 · 42 Comments

Presenting!

Ranger Man’s Top Ten BEST Guns for TEOTWAWKI

NUMBER TEN - The Mighty Barrett .50 BMG

LOL! Okay, okay, I kicked this list off with the Barrett just because. I don’t own one and I wouldn’t buy one, but I’ll tell you what, if SHTF, and you have one, you’re on my side.

The sticker price ($3,000-$12,000) on one of these monsters is enough to take anyone’s breath away, but witnessing the colossal *POW* that this bad bitch delivers waaaay down range will also take your breath away. Nothing on the civilian market can deliver anything close to the *smack* of the Barrett. Consequently, there’s a growing movement in different states (mainly New York, Massachusetts, Hawaii and Illinois) to remove the .50 BMG rifle from the civilian market altogether. California banned it in 2004. So, if you have more money than you know what to do with, this could be a great investment. Buy a few and then sell them after they’re banned nationwide for 4 times what you paid for them.

The cartridge selection for these rifles is disturbing to say the least. They come in incendiary, armor-piercing, armor-piercing/incendiary, tracer, and armor-piercing/incendiary/tracer all-in-one. A .50 BMG sniper rifle was used by a Canadian solder in Afghanistan in 2002 to pull off the longest-range, confirmed sniper kill in history when he delivered the insane ball of lead to a Taliban insurgent 1.5 miles away.

YIKES!

Advantages: it’ll make anyone go “. . . . . . wow;” it’ll penetrate light armor with NO problem; people will open the door for you when they see you carrying it; you can disable equipment and engine blocks from over a mile away; Made in the U.S.A.

Disadvantages: price, size, weight and recoil (ouch!); very limited availability of the high-end, military grade ammunition you’d need to fully realize this rifle’s capacity

NUMBER NINE - SKS Rifle

For what you’d spend on one Barrett .50 BMG you could buy a truckload of these things. I’m not a big fan of them. A friend of mine has (maybe had) a Russian SKS and the thing would sometimes fire two rounds with one trigger pull. This may sound cool, but neither of us thought it was. They’re cheap for a reason.

Advantage: they’re cheap

Disadvantage: they’re cheap

NUMBER EIGHT - Bolt-Action .308

Here it is. You need a sniper set up - period, and there’s a reason the .308 is the most widely used sniper round, it delivers - consistently. It may not have the more flat trajectory of a .270 or the extra wallup in a 30-06, but it delivers, has moderate recoil, and offers a more common caliber with a wider selection of ammunition.

Of course, the flip side of having a sniper set up is that it’s only worthwhile if you actually spend A LOT of time (and money) learning how to use it effectively at long distances. Chances are, for anyone not in Navy Seal sniper school, they’re not going to. However, the rifle can still get plenty of use hunting large game. The 180 grain .308 cartridge is my top recommendation for large game. It hits hard.

Advantages: common caliber, highly accurate

Disadvantage: no rapid fire feature

NUMBER SEVEN - Springfield M1A

What’s better than a bolt-action .308 WTSHTF? A semi-automatic .308. If you’re 3 weeks into TEOTWAWKI, holed up in your house with stacks of books around your picture window to serve as makeshift “sandbags,” you’ll want the M1A standing nearby. Gotta send a message to The Golden Horde hanging out by your mailbox? The M1A will do it.

Advantages: common caliber, stock one round for your bolt-action AND your semi-auto; Made in the U.S.A.

Disadvantages: $1,300 and up typically for a new one; heavy if carrying long distances

NUMBER SIX - 1911 .45 ACP Handgun

Ah yes, a handgun enters the scene. You have to have a handgun, and the 1911 .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) is a beauty. Let’s say it appears TEOTWAWKI is on the verge of happening and people are panicking. They’re out in force to empty the local grocery store’s shelves, and you’re heading into town as well to get whatever you can. This is the stage at which you’re not going to head out with rifles wrapped around your torso unless you’re begging for trouble - HOWEVER - you’re not going unarmed either. **** could break out in the cooler isle as 28 different dads battle over the last gallon of milk and suddenly one them pulls a piece. You need to be ready without letting people know you’re ready. Additionally, you need a piece for your SHTF “go bag” and the .45 contains a whole lotta lead.

Advantages: conceal and carry; whole lotta lead; common caliber

Disadvantages: limited magazine capacity (typically 8 + 1 in the pipe); $800 and up for a good one

NUMBER FIVE - Remington 870 12 Gauge Pump-Action Shotgun

*shhhick-shickt*

Let’s hear that again.

*shhhick-shickt*

The sound is undeniable. You hear that and you instantly know what it means, “You wanna roll with me?” The only reasonable response is, “errrr . . . . nah, I’ll move along.”

You can get a shotgun that’ll take a bigger shell, but you don’t need it. The 12 gauge is exceptionally common and it’ll take a variety of shells: birdshot for game hunting survival purposes; double-ought buck for pushing intruders not only down, but back out the window they came in through; and slugs for anything else.

Want to mount that shotgun to your bed frame (lol)? Check out one of my previous posts on “The Backup” here.

Advantages: common caliber; many accessories available for this model (pistol grips, tube extensions, etc.); obscene knock-down power

Disadvantages: none come to mind

NUMBER FOUR - AK-47

When I took the “What Combat Weaponry are You?” test over on my MySpace page it churned out the AK-47. It’s not my number one choice, but it’s an excellent choice nevertheless. It’s durable, designed to be thrown into a mud hole for a month when it can be dug out and immediately used without cleaning. That might be an exaggeration, but not by much. It also delivers a beefy round for a standard issue assault rifle. If you’re outside the United States, there’s likely readily available parts and ammunition.

Advantages: banana clips, baby; jungled clipped banana clips, baby

Disadvantages: lacks the accuracy found in other assault rifles; made in China, or Russia, or Yugoslavia - you get the idea

NUMBER THREE - Compact 9mm Handgun

What’s a more common caliber than the .45 ACP? The 9mm. Unfortunately, it’s the most common handgun caliber in the United States used against police officers. Thugs love it. Love the 9mm, but don’t be a thug.

Advantages: cheaper to shoot than the .45 (and thus practice with); high capacity magazines; easier to conceal and carry

Disadvantage: less lead

NUMBER TWO - Ruger 10/22 Rifle

I can hear it now, “What!?” That’s right, the .22 rifle. It’s ALL about survivalism. Look, when TEOTWAWKI hits you’re going to want a rifle like the Ruger 10/22 for put some sort of meat on your dinner plate. Squirrels, gophers or the neighbors’ cats, the 10/22 is quiet, effective, and you can shoot all damn day for what it’d cost you to buy a 6-pack of PBR.

Additionally, a little recognized fact, Chechen rebels successfully used .22 rifles for sniping purposes against Russian troops in urban settings. The urban setting consisted of narrow streets and close buildings allowing these “snipers” to get exceptionally close to their targets. They strapped soda bottle silencers on them to further the effectiveness. I don’t care what you say about the .22lr, take one in the neck and you’ll think differently.

Advantages: already stated - go buy one

Disadvantages: none whatsoever

AND now . . . . . . .

Ranger Man’s NUMBER ONE BEST Rifle for TEOTWAWKI

*drum roll*

The Mighty AR-15!

*applause*

*cheering*

This should really come as no surprise. My only guess as to why so many survival writers don’t list the “Black Rifle” as their top choice is because they want to set themselves apart from the pack. Like in politics, when you’re the man on top, you can expect attacks. There are very solid reasons for the AR-15’s extreme popularity and cult-like following. There are very solid reasons why its the #1 choice of the U.S. military and para-military groups (”AR-15″ to include all variations). It’s the best - period.

Explaining in great detail why I believe the AR-15 is the single best choice for survivalists goes beyond the scope of this post. I will detail it in the future, however. In the meantime, basically:

Advantages: very common caliber; fast bullet with flat trajectory; highly adaptable platform that allows the user to meet mission specific needs; extensive options readily available; they’re everywhere (meaning so are parts); wide variety of available rounds from 55 grain to 75 grain, tracer rounds, steel penetrator tips, etc.; very, very light recoil; Made in the U.S.A., and in the case of Bushmaster, Made in Maine

Disadvantages: smaller caliber than what’s found in other battle rifles; many moving parts; rather annoying to clean compared to other rifles; the gas system often comes under criticism for throwing the “gunk” back into the chamber (some call this “****ting where it eats”), though this problem has been remedied in some newer models (at a higher cost)

- Ranger Man

Screw the barret, ill take the .408 chey tac over it any day!!!

[Guest Jennings382]

500a

10-22

'Dirty Harry'

AK

m77

1911

mosin or an enfield

sks

DEAGLE....

[nightrunner]

m77?

and the .408cheytac was designed as a extreme long distance anti-personell round/rifle, the .50BMG is long range defense against light armor and such, has been adapted for use as a sniper rifle but doesnt have near the accuracy at distance as the .408

[Guest david_g17]

Every American needs a rifle (AR, AK, or SKS) and a reliable, large caliber handgun (1911, .357 Magnum, etc.).

Every Southerner needs a shotgun (870,500, etc.).

[Retired Navy GMC]

Here's my list... if money is no object..

Mossberg500 or Remington870 (but I do like my Browning BPS)

1911 .45

Sig 226 9mm (already have it)

Sig 228 9mm (carry weapon)

M-4 SOPMOD KIT w/ all the goodies including M203 grenade launcher

H&K MP5

H&K MP5K

H&K MP5SD

M-14

AK-47

300 WinMag

MK 42 M60

M2 .50 cal

Barrett .50 BMG

All I have shot when in the military..... way too much fun